Asked about his compatriot coming to join him at Barca, Paulinho told Mundo Deportivo : “I’ve already talked a few times about the Coutinho question.

“Everyone expects the great players to come to Barcelona, ??we have a very strong group of great players, without Coutinho people are doing a great job.

“On Coutinho it is not necessary to say much, he is a great player who has been making a difference in his team, in the Brazilian team. He is young but with experience in Europe.

“I want him to come, I think it would be a great contract for Barca. It would be a great happiness for me, because we would have another great player and another Brazilian.”

A deal for Coutinho is likely to prove popular with the Barcelona squad as a whole, as Luis Suarez also eulogised over the qualities of his former Liverpool team-mate recently, along with those of Antoine Griezmann, who has also been linked with a move to Camp Nou.

“Both Griezmann and Coutinho are elite players that are playing at the top level,” the Uruguay star told RAC105.

“They are where they are for a reason. They’re both young and have long careers ahead of them. And Barca always want the best players.”

Andres Iniesta is another Barca player who is an admirer of Coutinho and he believes the attacker would be an astute purchase for the club, along with 23-year-old Colombia international Yerry Mina.

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“I think they would be two important reinforcements to the squad,” Iniesta told reporters earlier in December. “If the club wants to strengthen those positions, it should be with players that can be prepared to withstand the pressure of a club like this, and they would be two big signings.

“But nothing has happened, so it’s difficult.”

Ernesto Valverde’s men, who sit six points clear at the top of the table, face bitter rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.